After the initial jubilation of having been granted World Youth Day 2013, organizers in the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro quickly found themselves in an uphill battle: a less-than-friendly Brazilian government focused more on the upcoming soccer World Cup of soccer and the 2016 Olympic Games; the city’s reputation for shady tourist attractions, like the Rio Carnival; and the well-known issues of urban violence.

Aside from these challenges, in the face of which Archbishop Orani João Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro was always optimistic, there was another not so small detail: an ailing Pope Benedict.

In the midst of a rocky start, one that involved convincing government officials that World Youth Day was not a “practice run” for the Olympics, but, rather, a much bigger undertaking, organizers received the same shocking news the rest of the world did on Feb. 11: Pope Benedict had decided to resign. That month was clearly a low point for organizers. There was the uncertainty of whether the next pope would even go to Rio or the possibility that he would change the date.

But with the election of the first Latin-American pope in the Church’s history, anticipation for World Youth Day Rio — the second WYD to be held in Latin America — ramped up in a matter of days.

Pope Francis, in fact, was not only Latin American. He quickly showed his “Brazilian” credentials at his first meeting with journalists after his election, when he revealed how his friend, Franciscan Cardinal Claudio Hummes, former archbishop of São Paulo — who sat next to him during the conclave — influenced him in the selection of his name by whispering to him, “Do not forget about the poor.”

Before the conclave, there was even a running joke among Brazilians and other Latin Americans that if an Argentinian were elected pope, he would probably choose to be called “Jesus II,” a playful reference to the notorious Argentinian pride in identity, culture and country.

But after the meek Francis appeared on the loggia of St. Peter’s March 13, Brazilians felt that a pope from Argentina — a country that they see as their regional rival, in both soccer and South-American geopolitics — was also their pope.

“The fresh winds of Pope Francis were quickly turned into a welcomed storm of hope, joy and enthusiasm that will soon hit the Guanabara Bay and beyond,” read a surprisingly positive editorial in the Jornal de Rio de Janeiro, in reference to the new pope coming to the narrow sea bay that the Portuguese conquistadors thought was a river, thus christening it “Rio de Janeiro.”

The article, published in May, was one of the first acknowledgements from the secular media that the Pope was coming to Rio and, with him, some 2 million youth.

The original expectations for World Youth Day Rio estimated 1 million, mostly local participants, with limited participation from countries outside of South America.

But since Pope Francis confirmed his attendance, the number of journalists interested in covering the event forced organizers to reopen registration. Registration for media closed in mid-June, with a record number of 5,500 credentialed journalists; that is 500 more than the record set in Madrid two years ago.

Also, a deluge of Latin-American youth was expected, mostly from Argentina, but also from Mexico and Chile. Josery Pantoja, a spokeswoman from World Youth Day’s Media Center, told me, “World Youth Day goes beyond just the religious media: The whole world will follow World Youth Day now.”

“Just as the whole world has been curiously following Pope Francis’ first few months, they seem to be even more intrigued in this unique global encounter of youth that will bring people not only from traditional Catholic countries like those in South America, but from non-traditional countries, where the Church is young and small but vibrant and growing,” she said with typical carioca (native to Rio) enthusiasm.

Inés San Martín, the international press coordinator, also emphasized this point: “The number of media outlets that will come to World Youth Day is really impressive.” She was particularly surprised by the number of Japanese, Chinese and Korean press registered to attend. “I think this World Youth Day will truly be historic,” San Martín said.

“We have already surpassed Madrid, and many of them [members of the press] did not go to Madrid,” she explained. “This means that even those young people worldwide who cannot come to Rio de Janeiro will share the experiences of World Youth Day through the international press.”

For both Pantoja and San Martín, there is no question that the media interest is related to “the humility, simplicity and clarity of Pope Francis.” But in their hearts, they hope that “Hurricane Francis” will billow the sails of the vast majority of Brazilian youth who are not associated with a parish or an ecclesial movement. The vast number of Millennials are known, among youth ministers especially in Latin America, as the “non-convoked” (uncalled).

Without any significant prejudices against the Catholic Church, the “non-convoked” are usually indifferent and extremely hard to reach by usual means of communication. Eradically these youth show up at some events, but no one knows exactly what lured them or how they came to know about it.

When he was Archbishop Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis created a pilgrimage for young people to the Marian Shrine of Luján in Argentina. By the time he was elected pope, the pilgrimage, held every October, was bringing close to 1 million youth, out of which 70% are “self-convoked,” meaning that they freely join their peers without being associated with any group.

Organizers at WYD in Rio have been hoping and praying for a similar tidal wave of young people.

In 2011, more than 700,000 unregistered youth showed up at Cuatro Vientos Airfield in Madrid, causing WYD services to utterly collapse. After that experience and the unprecedented goodwill that Pope Francis has generated, Rio organizers were making extra sure that preparations at Campus Fidei in Guaratiba, a gigantic open airfield, part of an old plantation 10 miles west of the city, were ready for the hurricane-force winds of Pope Francis.

It is a good thing to see the world youths gather under one faith and Leadership of Pope Francis. It is pertinent to note that Catholic youths in Nigeria is under pressure from internet pornography, indecent dressing codes, unemployment,moral decay, collapse of education system and corrupt political leaders. WYD in Rio should be used to draw agenda for the Catholic youths in third World countries.

I was touched by the homily of Pope Francis.who emphasized that we were brought to the foot of Mary to be close to Jesus and we were called not to be mediocres, not to be worldly to find Jesus. Jesus is our joy.

Posted by K.C.Thomas on Wednesday, Jul, 24, 2013 4:46 AM (EST):

When I read that some groups or parties question the government on the expense of reception of Pope Francis,I wonder how the Catholics there react. We find that the greatest threat to the Church is from the Catholics who abandoned religion.They are even question the Church teachings on sexual morality. The fact is no one dares to study why the Church holds certain rules and philosophy They refuse to listen, refuse to recognize any authority ,refuse everything if it comes from Church or any christian leader.The protestant groups want to use all opportunities to steal the sheep as they are concerned with numbers only.

I’m not surprised with the Brazilian politicians trying to shift the focus to other issues. Brazil is not a republic, it is a corruption dictatoriship country. The politicians in Brazil worship money and power, that’s why they are using all the police power and violence to crash innumerous manifestations trying to stop this river of corruption. In Brazil everyone can be brought. It is just a matter of how much you are willing to pay. I know. I am Brazilian. The world maybe not know that the Brazilian government just imported doctors from Cuba in order to crack down on Brazilian medical personnel who stand up against corruption. We pray that Pope Francis will bring this dark situation to light and that the prayers lifted up to heaven during this week will bring a miracle to the Brazilian population that work so hard. Brazilians have no rights, only the corrupt Brazilian government and their friends have. Please, bring this dark side to the world, it is our only hope. If the world know about this corruption situation in our country, maybe this situation can change. Blessings.

Posted by meringuehead on Tuesday, Jul, 23, 2013 9:03 PM (EST):

Not only the first Latin American pope, but the first “American” pope. Perhaps this is the first WYD generation which has been raised on the instant gratification of the internet. Hopefully, a week of Francis I and the lifestyle of helping the poor will introduce the attendees to joys of delayed gratification.

Posted by Augusta Mia on Tuesday, Jul, 23, 2013 6:49 PM (EST):

Three years ago during a trip to Rome, I was struck with the number of Brazilian tourists—well-dressed, carrying expensive cameras’ coming out of high-end hotels. I spoke to one young couple who said they never expected to travel, touring Europe, but the exchange rate was most favorable. In talking with them, I heard echoes of previous generation of well-to-do tourists, Americans, Japanese, etc. As the economy cartwheels, can we expect thue young and restless in Brazil to be open to the gentle messenger who comes in the name of the Lord?

Posted by mary on Tuesday, Jul, 23, 2013 12:37 PM (EST):

It is wonderful for S. America that WYD2013 will be there—
There is no doubt that Pope Francis presence and words to the youth
and non - will do much to steer them back to the Truth/and to REAL JOY AND REAL FREEDOM - not what the world teaches ...

May God protect him and all who take part in WYD 2013 and may the light which will emanate from it touch the 4 corners of this broken, violent and sad world we live in and elevate us our souls to Heaven -

The world is sad, lonely, violent angry and depressed because so many have turned their backs on God— how can we be happy and fulfilled without Him who made us? It is impossible.

So let us pray for all at WYD - that this be a ‘new’ renewal of our youth, of our civilization and truly make it a ‘Civilization of love’ - Christ’s Love which He brought to the world 2,000 yrs ago.

Pope Francis came to Brazil at a time when having a pair of expensive sneakers with named brand merchandise has priority over Jesus Christ. The Apostolic religions like Orthodoxy, and Roman Catholicism teaches delayed gratification. Brazilians it seems mostly want a religion teaching instant gratification. Evangelical religions are based on feeling good. Brazilians are turning to the feel good Pentecostal and Evangelical Christianity. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund did a good job of raising expectations in Brazil so much it created anger and jealousy to the point of violence.

Posted by Gemma on Monday, Jul, 22, 2013 11:31 PM (EST):

Wow. There were only a couple of Argentines at the last Conclave. So were they referring to Card Bergoglio possibly naming himself as Jesus II? If so, Francis doesn’t look like the daringest choice for a Papal name after all.

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